Lesson 6

To Buy or Not to Buy

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Explain the association of the self and the possessions,

2. Identify the role of consumer culture to self and identity, and
3. Appraise one’s self-based on the description of material self.

Material Self

William James in 1890 in his book “The Principles of Psychology”, that understanding
the self can be examined through its different components. He described these components as:
a. The feelings and emotions they arouse (self-feelings)
b. The action to which they prompt (self-seeking)
c. Self-preservation.
The components of self are the following:
a. Material self- refers to the physical aspect of man, followed by the clothing aspects,
then the immediate family and lastly is the home.
b. Social self-
c. Spiritual self
d. Pure-ego

Sources:
1. https://www.google.com/search?biw=1024&bih=457&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=amEUXZvaIY7T-
QbL66l4&q=material+self+investment+diagram+by+william+james&oq=material+self+investment.
2. Eden Joy Alata and Bernardo Nicholas Caslib and et. Al., 2018 Understanding the Self: Rex Bookstore,
Manila, Philippines. Pgs 64-68
Material Self and Possessions of Man

1. Body- human beings intentionally invest for their bodies. People are directly
attached to this commodity that they cannot live without.
2. Clothes- Herman Lotze wrote a book entitled “The Philosophy of Dress” believed
that clothing is an essential part of the material self. He stipulates that the fabric and
the style of the clothes being used bring sensations to the body to which directly
affects one’s attitudes and behavior.
3. Immediate Family- It is considered to be a very important part of one self. The
families are considered to be the replica of one self.
4. Home- It is considered to be the nest of one self. The experiences inside home were
marked and recorded. Homes are considered to be the extensions of one self.

We are what we Have

People always regard possessions as part of their selves. As old saying goes: “we are
what we have and what we possess”. As people grow older, material possession decreases that
the seeking for more important possessions like family, peace or happiness will be sought over
material satisfaction. Material possessions have significant meanings as it reminds important
events or memories to one self. The possessions that one has clearly denotes, who they are,
their self-concept, their past or even their future.

Sources:
1. https://www.google.com/search?biw=1024&bih=457&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=amEUXZvaIY7T-
QbL66l4&q=material+self+investment+diagram+by+william+james&oq=material+self+investment. 6/27/2019

2. Eden Joy Alata and Bernardo Nicholas Caslib and et. Al., 2018 Understanding the Self: Rex Bookstore, Manila,
Philippines. Pgs 64-68
 Activity 6
My Fabulous Self

Application:
If you are given P500,000.00 to spend for shopping at your most favorite mall for 8
hours only or else the money will be taken away from you, what are the things you will buy?
Write or lists at least twenty (20) items/objects only. Do not proceed reading the directions
below not until your done listing your favorite items.
1. 11.

2. 12.

3. 13.

4. 14.

5. 15.

6. 16.

7. 17.

8. 18.

9. 19.

10. 20.

Based from the list you created label the items according to the type of object you purchased
as the following:
(B)- if the item is related to the body
(C)- if the item is related to the clothing
(F) if the item is related to the family
(H) if the item is related to the home

What is your realization based from the items you purchased?